Visit from Ms. Valérie Baraban, Consul General of France
We were honored to welcome Ms. Valérie Baraban to the AIS campus this week. Ms. Baraban is the newly appointed Consul General of France in Houston, the first woman to hold this important diplomatic post. During her brief visit, Ms. Baraban met with Mr. Jacques to discuss our school’s history, growth, and bright future. She had an opportunity to visit some classrooms to speak with teachers and students. Having loved her introductory visit to our vibrant community, Ms. Baraban shared that she will be excited to return in early 2022 for a longer visit with AIS stuff, students, and families. Merci Madame Baraban !
Ft. Davis Trip
Our CM1 and CM2 students have had a fantastic time this week at Ft. Davis, staying at Prude Ranch and visiting McDonald Observatory for a stargazing party, hiking at the Chihuahuan Botanical Garden, exploring art in Marfa at the Chinati Foundation, had a scavenger hunt and a glow stick disco, and so much more. They return this evening, and I am sure will sleep well this weekend and have memories of a lifetime! A big thanks to all the partners and our faculty and chaperones, Mr. Cedric, Mr. Jhino, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Prema, & Ms. Virginie.
Vaccine Education Workshop with Austin Public Health
We wish to thank the over 50 parents and guardians that attended this week’s vaccine education workshops with Austin Public Health. We are also particularly thankful to APH’s Alicia Topolnycky, Betsy Denny, and Raisa Charles who shared their knowledge and expertise with our community. Our commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, and we hope that these sessions will help AIS families make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccinations for their particular family contexts. If you were unable to attend the session, but would like to learn more, you are invited to watch a recording of our Thursday session.
MAP Family Workshops - 11/1 thru 11/12
MAP assessments are conducted three times per year in GS (Kinder) through 4e (8th). In order to receive results from MAP assessments, at least one parent or guardian is required to attend a MAP Family Workshop. If you have attended a MAP workshop in the past, you are not required to attend a new one—though you are welcome to if you would like a refresher! Due to the pandemic, these workshops will be offered virtually throughout the week next week. To see the available time slots and sign-up to attend a session, please visit this sign-up link. See you there!
Virtual State of the School - Tue. 11/9
All community members are encouraged to join members of the AIS Governing Board and AIS Leadership as we present the State of the School. This event will recap the prior year and look ahead to our current year for a financial snapshot, our fundraising goals, and our program plans. Please join in from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. with this link.
November Spirit Night - Thur. 11/11
Join us for our November Spirit Night at Blaze Pizza on November 11th. This event is all day, so pick up lunch for work or skip a night of cooking and come to Blaze at Lake Creek. Make sure to show the flyer and mention AIS and Blaze will generously donate 20% back to AIS! If you prefer to order pickup/to go, call the restaurant at 512-233-6024 and mention AIS. Either way - please rsvp to give the restaurant an estimate for staffing needs.
International Week at AIS - 11/15 - 11/19
This special week truly represents the vision, mission, and core values of AIS. Our students have been busy exploring New Caledonia, India, Niue, Egypt, China, Kenya, French Guiana, Mexico, Croatia, and Vietnam! The students will present their countries to other AIS students all week. We will make sure to take plenty of pictures and videos to share with our community for you to join in the fun as well! We look forward to this journey across the world the week before our Thanksgiving break
AIS Board Meeting - Tue., 11/16 6:30 pm
The AIS governing Board of Directors will meet virtually on Tuesday, November 16th beginning at 6:30 pm. All members of the community are welcome to attend and observe the open session of the board meeting, which is structured to enable our volunteer board and the Head of School to conduct school business that requires board involvement. At the end of the open session, there will be approximately ten minutes allocated for public comments, during which members of the AIS community may voice feedback to the board.
Thanksgiving Break - 11/22 thru 11/26
The school will be closed the full week of November 22nd for the Thanksgiving Break. We hope you all enjoy your time visiting and celebrating with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for remaining thoughtful and diligent about COVID, travel, and quarantine protocols to keep our community healthy and safe.
COVID-19 Vaccination Records
With the recent authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11, we know that a number of AIS families have already scheduled or plan to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations for their children. If you elect to vaccinate your child, please remember to submit the vaccination record to our school so that we may include it in the student file. Austin Public Health provides flowchart-based contact tracing and quarantine guidance and an important part of this is knowing whether or not the exposed individual has been vaccinated. You may submit a copy of your child’s vaccination record via email to records@austinis.org.
COVID-19 Vaccination Locations
Austin Public Health has asked schools to share the following information with their communities. People who are 5 years of age and older are eligible to get the Pfizer vaccine. People 18 years and older can get the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. APH offers Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson at all its vaccination locations. However, beginning the week of November 7 through 13, for children ages 5 through 11 the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine will be available at Delco, Old Sims Elementary Gym, and Pflugerville Library locations only. Vaccines are also available through UT Health Austin, Travis County drive-thru, pop-up community events, and other local clinics and pharmacies. Please note that APH will not vaccinate those who are currently sick or have not completed their 10-day isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. If you have recovered from COVID-19, and are eligible, you should get vaccinated. Immunity from the vaccine may last longer than the natural immunity you get if you’ve already had COVID-19.
We Need Your Feedback! Be Part of AIS's Next Strategic Plan
With our current strategic plan coming to an end in 2021, the Strategic Committee of the AIS Board of Directors is seeking community input as it plans for the next big steps in AIS’s future. Please share your thoughts—no matter how brief or how long—through this open-ended survey. Responses may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish. We truly value the input of all our community members and wish to thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the future of our community!
November Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday, bon anniversaire, and feliz cumpleanos to the following students with November birthdays: Matéo S., Naja N., Marlène B., Cami H., Alana A., Giulia G., Grace A., Antoine M., Owen J., Hallie C., Sophia N., Ryan N., Fabian M, Isabella H., Carmen D., Maya F., Batiste C., Elsa G., Helen B., Nevaeh D., Theo G., Millie B., Vivi B., Oliver W., Marco W., Chloè M., Florentina V., Alice V., & Jude P.
Save the dates
Mark these important upcoming dates on your calendars.
- 11/1-11/12 MAP Workshops
- 11/9 State of the School
- 11/11 Spirit Night at Blaze Pizza
- 11/15-11/19 International Week
- 11/22-11/26 Thanksgiving Break
- 12/1 Vision, Hearing, & Spinal Screenings
- 12/2 PTO Coffee
- 12/4 Winter Open House
